Established a temporary no-fly zone for drones below 2,900 feet in the Blaenavon area to facilitate emergency response operations.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 2,900 feet above mean sea level within a specified 2.7 nautical mile radius of Blaenavon, South Wales.
The Secretary of State for Transport issued these restrictions in response to an emergency, though the specific nature of the emergency is not detailed in the text.
The prohibition applies to all unmanned aircraft, except those operating under the direction of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary for reasons affecting the public interest due to an emergency that has arisen in the area.
The document states that the restrictions are temporary and intended to be revoked once the emergency has passed.
The regulations provide an exemption for aircraft directed by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, allowing for coordinated emergency response efforts.
Arguments Against
The regulations do not specify the nature of the emergency, which may lead to uncertainty for local residents or operators regarding the duration of the restriction.
Civil liberties groups or recreational drone users might question the specific radius and altitude limits if the necessity of such a large restricted zone is not publicly detailed.
The immediate commencement of the regulations provides no notice period for operators who may have already been in the process of flying within the designated area.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Blaenavon, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It mandates that the rules become legally enforceable immediately upon being made at 11:45 p.m. on 14 August 2026.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 2,900 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
This section prohibits the operation of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, at altitudes lower than 2,900 feet within the circular zone defined in the schedule.
It grants the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service the authority to exempt specific flights from this restriction by providing them with directions.
This creates a controlled airspace to prevent interference with emergency services.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |------------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Blaenavon, South Wales | 2.7 nautical miles | 514506N 0030333W |
The schedule provides the precise geographical coordinates and dimensions of the restricted flight zone.
It defines a circle with a radius of 2.7 nautical miles centered at 51°45'06"N and 003°03'33"W in Blaenavon, South Wales.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dowlais, South Wales) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency restricted airspace zone for unmanned aircraft near Dowlais, South Wales, effective 15 August 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Llantrisant, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an immediate no-fly zone for drones below 1,500 feet in a 0.54 nautical mile radius around Llantrisant due to an emergency.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Ferndale, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an immediate no-fly zone for drones within a specified radius of Ferndale to support emergency operations.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dowlais, South Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 3,000 feet within a 2.7 nautical mile radius of Dowlais, South Wales, to facilitate emergency response.
Read More